“We did a good job building our attack through the midfield,” Caples said. “We played a good passing game which was nice. There was good overlap on the outside. I think we played a really complete game.”
Freshman midfielder Kate Gannon gave Harvard its first insurance goal 11 minutes into the second half after converting a pass, from sophomore forward Jen Ahn, deep inside the circle. Gannon finished with six goals and three assists for her rookie year.
The Crimson’s third score, which came with 12 minutes left in the game, was created by quick work from Scott and sophomore Diana Bowen to move the ball upfield to sophomore midfielder Liz Andrews, who swiftly pushed the ball just inside the far post from several yards out. It was Bowen’s first career point.
“When [Bowen] got her chance she definitely proved that she could be out there, and she’s just always been improving and working hard,” Park said.
Harvard has played with consistency in its four-game win streak, a big improvement from immediately before the streak, when losses to Princeton and Dartmouth ended the Crimson’s NCAA and Ivy title hopes. Even in some of its victories, such as against Northeastern and Cornell the week prior to the Princeton loss, Harvard struggled in the first half.
“I think in the last four games we played stronger for the full 70 minutes instead of just for a half,” Park said. “So if we could rewind, we would have a better shot I’m sure.”
Injuries were a crucial factor in the development of the season. Sophomore forward Kate McDavitt, who was a second team All-Ivy player last season, was a fixture on the sidelines this year. Park was not available until the final games of the season, and senior back Natalia Berry was out of action following Harvard’s 2-1 loss at Michigan, in which senior Eliza Dick netted Harvard’s only goal.
“Having Kate would have added another dimension to our game to our team,” Caples said. “We missed her, we missed not having Jane for the season, losing Natalia halfway through. Loosing them took away some of our tools definitely. But other kids stepped up and increased their level of play.”
McDavitt made it two consecutive years that a Harvard player with second team All-Ivy credentials from freshman year has not taken the field in the subsequent year, making it more challenging for Harvard to build momentum from season-to-season. McDavitt, however, hopes to be back soon.
“Kate, she’s got some work ahead of her in her rehab,” Caples said. “We hope she’s healthy by the end of spring, so she can train for the summer. she’ll make a big difference for us.”
For Park to even make it back on the field, and even score a goal against Providence, was a success story in and of itself.
“I’m glad I got to get out on the field at the end of the season and get to play for a few more games before I go into the real world,” Park said.
The seniors, meanwhile, wished the team well for next season. The six seniors were all a crucial part of the Harvard team, which made its first NCAA tournament in nine years last season.
“NCAAs is always the highlight,” Turck said. “I wish the team the best for the upcoming years. I think they’ve got a great start. The seniors have worked very hard to get the program where it is.”